ILSAC GF-5 PLUS Specification
With the continued delay of the ILSAC GF-6 specification (now likely delayed beyond April 2019), the ILSAC alliance of automotive OEM’s are now formally requesting the API (American Petroleum Institute) to develop an official GF-5 PLUS specification.
This is because the automotive OEM’s do not want to wait any longer to address the LSPI (Low-Speed Pre-Ignition] issue that has been a major topic of debate in the industry for the past few years.
This proposed specification will have the same performance as GF-5 with the addition of 0W-16 viscosity grade and the LSPI engine test. With a suggested first licensing date of January 1, 2018.
Low-Speed Pre-Ignition
- Downsizing of Gasoline engines has been a trend as OEM’s attempt to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy
- Small engines can operate at low speeds and high load – this can lead to abnormal combustion events such as Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI)
- LSPI can lead to high-pressure spikes, loud engine knocking, and engine damage
- It has been found that changing lubricant formulation can alter the rate of occurrence of pre-ignition events
LSPI Engine Tests
LSPI events can be monitored by observing cylinder pressure.
2.0 Litre Turbocharged Ecotec LHU
Oil Conditioning
- 30 minutes
- 2,000 RPM / 100 Nm
Engine Conditioning
- 10 minutes
- 3,900 RPM / 200 Nm
Cool-down
- 5 minutes
- 2,000 RPM / 32 Nm
Combustion
- 15,000 combustion cycles / 17 minutes (2 min. warm up + 15 min. data collection)
- 2,000 RPM / 350 Nm